The Twelve Notes Of Music: Ear Training And Interval Study Course [Paperback] Review

I purchased this book in the hopes of finding a method to use with some of my students. As a professional teacher and performer, I am terribly dissapointed. In its 20 pages, the book does little more than define what intervals are, and offers little practical advice and no useful exercises on how to sucessfully learn intervals or recognize pitch. Further, the title 'Music Theory: Ear Training and Interval Study Course' is quite misleading. Sternal attempts to teach the student intervals by having the student play all intervals from the minor second up to the octave on the guitar. Thus, If you are not a guitar player, and/or do not read his non-standard guitar tablature this method will be completely useless for you. The back cover claims that this is a method for guitar, piano, or voice of which only guitar is really feasible because there are no notes or diagrams that can be read by vocalists or pianists or any other instrument for that matter (It only uses fretboard diagrams). Also, the front cover fails to mention that this is only intended for guitar, piano, and voice. If you are not a guitarist, this method will be unintelligible for you. If you are a guitarist, I would strongly suggest you find a different method as this is hardly a method, but more a very poor definition of intervals. This method is also problematic for guitar players in that Sternal does not address the tuning issues of the guitar. If you do not understand the problems of tuning a guitar, you will be learing these intervals incorrectly since you are using an improperly tuned guitar as a pitch reference. I hardly ever write reviews, but I was so turned off by this that I felt obligated to prevent others from making the same mistake.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Twelve Notes Of Music: Ear Training And Interval Study Course [Paperback]

Product Description:
Music Theory Simplified - There are only 12 notes in the musical alphabet, when you have mastered them you have mastered music. Take an in depth look at each individual note and learn how it associates with other notes, giving you a full understanding of the tonal structure of melodies, harmonies, and chords. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced musician you will gain a world of insight by learning our twelve musical tones! *24 Page Study Course *US Patent Applied For *Improve pitch recognition, and note relativity *Music theory simplified *Start with one note and build at your own pace *Written with charts and thoroughly explained instructions *No sheet music or sight reading necessary *Each chapter is built on what you have previously learned *Learn to easily build any scale or chord structure.

Buy cheap The Twelve Notes Of Music: Ear Training And Interval Study Course [Paperback] now Get 15% OFF

Theory Is Fun / Book 1 (Hirschberg) [Paperback] Review

a good book for teaching elementary aged children music theory, it covers the basics and some more advanced stuff as well. lots of Black and white illustrations, comics strips and such. the book teaches the note names and spelling with pictures and stories.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Theory Is Fun / Book 1 (Hirschberg) [Paperback]

Product Description:
THEORY IS FUN / Book 1, by David Hirschberg.

Buy cheap Theory Is Fun / Book 1 (Hirschberg) [Paperback] now

Alesis P3 Power Supply Barrel Review

The Alesis SR-16 drum machine has to be one of the most prolific electronic devices on earth! The thing first came out in 1990, yet they're still selling. With so many in existence, it's inevitable that used ones are around to be had.

A friend gave his to me, and it's perfect for my home recording studio, as a midi pad (I'm surprised at how much NEW ones cost these days, with not that many additional features!)

No power supply, though, so I had to purchase this replacement. Great price, and it works perfectly. This is really a "step-down transformer," not an AC/DC converter, since the output is 9VAC, so it's hard to find a "generic" device.

Be sure to check to see what type of adapter your unit takes; there are different plugs available. This one is the "barrel type."

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alesis P3 Power Supply Barrel

Product Description:
Compatible with AI-2 Sync Interface, Microverb 2, Microverb 3, Microverb 4, 3630 Compressor, SR-16 Drum Machine, D4 Drum Module, DM5 Drum Module, Midiverb III, Midiverb 4, MMT-8 Sequencer, Nanobass, Nanocompressor and M-EQ 230 Equalizer.

Buy cheap Alesis P3 Power Supply Barrel now Get 25% OFF

EarMaster Pro 5 Review

I think it says something that Apple sells this music software at their San Francisco Apple store.That indicates EarMaster Pro has gone through some serious vetting, as Apple does not sell junk.Apple's shelf space for selling software is small.

Except for those days when there isn't enough time or I'm too busy, I use the EarMaster Pro software every day for about a half hour. I've been using Ear Master Pro for about four months and am nearly half way through the exercises.EarMaster Pro has an online forum which has been helpful and responsive when I've had questions.

In a good way, Ihave found the EarMaster Pro exercises beyond the starting "easy" ones to be brutally hard.I consider EarMaster Pro to be a program for music majors or for serious musical hobbyists such as myself who are highly motivated and have a strong background in musical harmony and musical theory.The more advanced exercises are so subtle that I ended up (with the help of someone on the Ear Master Pro forum) installing some additional "open source " software on my PC so that the musical tones of the chords generated by Ear Master Pro are easier to hear.For example, hearing the minor seventh of a four note V chord versus a V chord triad can be difficult if the tones aregenerated by the mediocre tone generator that comes standard on a WinXP computer.(EarMaster Pro works on both MAC and Windows).

If you (like myself) are a jazz pianist wanna-be, then Ear Master Pro is definitely a good purchase for you.You will most likely conclude, as I did,that first you have to go through Ear Master Pro's entire classical training program and only then tackle the (even more) difficult jazz exercises.

Click Here to see more reviews about: EarMaster Pro 5

Product Description:
If you want to sing, improvise or jam with complete confidence, you need to recognize all the sounds around you. Ear training can make this possible. Making music with others will become easy and fun! EarMaster is your personal teacher. It is easy to use and provides instant feedback. EarMaster includes a Standard Tutor with over 400 lessons as well as a Jazz Tutor with over 200 lessons. Both will guide you and automatically increase in difficulty as your ear improves. Create your own customized exercises to improve the way you play, compose and notate any style of music!

Buy cheap EarMaster Pro 5 now Get 17% OFF

The Contemporary Keyboardist and Expanded (Instructional) [Plastic Comb] Review

John Novello is an amazing musician.Having a book that gives insite into his approach would be quite valuable all by itself, but he has put together a very comprehensive work that is a must have for any musician looking to expand his/her knowledge and abilities.In this modern age where the electronic keyboard provides the easiest access to the world of instrumentation, as a songwriter/arranger I find John's Contemporary Keyboardist to be an essential reference, especially as my main instrument is the guitar.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Contemporary Keyboardist and Expanded (Instructional) [Plastic Comb]

Product Description:
This comprehensive, 562-page method, called "Solid, readable and relevant" by Keyboard magazine and "The major work for today's pianists" by International Musician, is divided into four sections. The first, "A Philosophy of Music," deals with communication, cause-effect principles and practice disciplines. The second section, "Mechanics," covers all the basics of keyboard music and playing (notation, harmony, improv, sight reading, etc.), as well as their applications. The third section, "The Business Scene," contains guidelines and industry advice for contemporary keyboardists. Section four, "Interviews," provides insights into the artistry and technique of famous players such as Herbie Hancock, Henry Mancini, Edgar Winter, Keith Emerson, Paul Shaffer and many more. Includes an index.

Buy cheap The Contemporary Keyboardist and Expanded (Instructional) [Plastic Comb] now Get 10% OFF

Technique Builders: Fundamental Study Patterns to Improve Piano Proficiency [Paperback] Review

This is a truly fine set of exercises for the late-beginner/early-intermediate pianist.Beyond the expected parallel and contrary motions, there are accompanied exercises.One hand plays an accompaniment to the other hand's scale runs, arpeggios, and chord inversions.Everything is related to the playing of songs.

This book focuses heavily on the seven diatonic triads of the C major scale and their inversions and arpeggios.But it also includes work on all twelve major triads and many chromatic studies, as well.Simple repeated bass figures, rhythms, octaves, and finger-independence drills round things out.

I really enjoy Technique Builders.I can open it to nearly any page and play something challenging and musical-sounding.Ten minutes to an hour of exploring its pages is very rewarding.I give it 5 stars!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Technique Builders: Fundamental Study Patterns to Improve Piano Proficiency [Paperback]

Product Description:
The ultimate objective is to train the student through repeated patterns and precise exercises, to acquire a conscious control in these techniques: the use of the whole arm for lateral freedom and arm weight, the forearm for rotation (Alberti bass and similar patterns) the wrist for flexibility in phrasing and the fingers for dexterity in passage work.

Buy cheap Technique Builders: Fundamental Study Patterns to Improve Piano Proficiency [Paperback] now

Complete Color Coded Flash Cards for All Beginning Music Students [Cards] Review

This economical, but well-designed set of Flash Cards is targeted for all beginning music students. It is especially helpful for those (children and adults) who are learning keyboards, harps, or beginning band instruments. Music teachers and homeschooling parents may enjoy having this little set as a fun, "go-to" activity that builds music theory, critical thinking, sight-reading, and vocabulary. Games using the cards can create interest and opportunities for additional practice.

In my quest to learn the harp and to share music with others, I wanted a quick, non-electronic,and easy-to-read method to learn / review musical notes, terms, and symbols. At the time, Amazon had several types of products in this area. I took some time to decide which product would be best for me. I selected this set, and that choice has proven to be a good one! This is a nice, easy-to-read / easy-to-understand set of flash cards, and the colors do seem to stimulate one's mind, memory. Eye-glass wearers will appreciate the big, dark fonts on these cards.

What's nice is that the cards are two-sided with the teaching item on front and its answer on back. Apparently, some flash card sets in music do not have the answers on back; I read this in one Amazon review. What's the point of having the card if you don't have the meaning with it? Fortunately, this 89 Color-Coded Flash Card set gives the learner and teacher both sides of the situation, which is most appreciated!) Cards 3 through 36 show the named notes as they would appear on the musical staff as well as their location on piano / keyboard.

This set contains the following information:

Canary Cards (1-36): Clef Signs, Notes on Staff, Low C through Middle C through High C

Pink Cards (37-50):Note Values, Rest Values, Time Signature

White Cards (51-65): Tempo Marks, Dynamic Signs

Green Cards (66-77): Musical Symbols

Blue Cards (78-89): Melodic & Harmonic Intervals; Key Signatures

I'm well pleased with these cards and highly recommend them for beginning students and for those who want a refresher in music. Teachers: if you are using these in a classroom setting, buy one of those little "Page Up" stands that people use for typing. You can then display your note of the day / week.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Complete Color Coded Flash Cards for All Beginning Music Students [Cards]

Product Description:
Includes all notes, symbols and terms needed for the first two years of study on any musical instrument. Cards are color-coded by category and are numbered on the back.

Buy cheap Complete Color Coded Flash Cards for All Beginning Music Students [Cards] now

Keyboard Chart Review

This is a real nice keyboard chart and it has helped me to remember the keys that I learned as a child years ago.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Keyboard Chart

Product Description:
Two-sided fold-out chart that represents the entire keyboard of the piano with each piano key named and its corresponding note on the grand staff for five octaves. Side One may be placed on the piano above the keys and Side Two may be used away from the piano for additional review.

Buy cheap Keyboard Chart now

Notespeller for Piano - Book 2: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library [Paperback] Review

My son's piano teacher asked me to buy the Notespeller series as a companion to his instruction.Book 2 continues the lessons with a focus on learning to read music.It was during this series that he really got the hang of sight reading by reinforcing his ability to quickly determine each note in each clef - this made his overall playing better.By working on his Notespeller homework (which can be done anywhere, doesn't need to be near the piano) - my son was able to further his learning at a quicker pace.Best for me - during his lessons, his teacher spent more time working on other aspects of his playing and less time on note recognition - making the money I spend on lessons go to better use.I highly recommend the Notespeller series.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Notespeller for Piano - Book 2: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library [Paperback]

Product Description:
This book builds upon the playful approach to reading music that was first presented in Notespeller Book 1. Students join Spike and Party Cat on an adventure to an amusement park, Piano Park. The storybook format incorporates assignments that help students use the msuic alphabet to read and write notes on the staff, identify intervals, and write sharps and flats. This highly imaginative book is sure to appeal to students and teachers alike.Corresponds to Piano Lessons Book 2.

Buy cheap Notespeller for Piano - Book 2: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library [Paperback] now

Keyboard Scale Manual (Music Sales America) [Paperback] Review

A very concise and powerful collection of scales and their fingerings. Very good to have for developing and refreshing scale technique.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Keyboard Scale Manual (Music Sales America) [Paperback]

Product Description:
A complete guide to scales. Specially designed keyboard diagrams combined with standard notation make any scale easy to learn. A must for all keyboard players.

Buy cheap Keyboard Scale Manual (Music Sales America) [Paperback] now Get 10% OFF

Piano Chord Dictionary (Handy Guide) [Paperback] Review

This is a handy little book, the only problem is it gives you, I guess, 'their' version of the best hand positions to play certain chords, but it clashes with some of my other chord charts. 'The chord encyclopedia' would probably be a better choice because it gives you several position to play when possible.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Piano Chord Dictionary (Handy Guide) [Paperback]

Product Description:
This Handy Guide shows the notation, fingering and keyboard diagrams for all the important chords used in modern popular music. Only the most practical position of each chord is shown. Two bass notes are given for each chord. Major, minor, diminished, augmented, sixth chords, seventh chords, ninth chords, eleventh chords and thirteenth chords are clearly shown. Includes a chord chart and major scale chart.

Buy cheap Piano Chord Dictionary (Handy Guide) [Paperback] now